Termite Management Service

 

Termite

Termites usually are cryptic, meaning that they don’t come out into the open making them difficult to detect. They are often called the “silent destroyer” because they may be secretly hiding and thriving in your home or yard without any immediate signs of damage. Even when they are visible within the home as flying insects, termites can often be mistaken for ants. Some homeowners will dismiss the termites as pesky ants (which often swarm at the same time of year) and ignore them without taking any preventive or extermination measures. This allows established termite infestations to grow exponentially. Termites can be identified by their straight, beaded antennae, uniform waists, and wings of equal size. (Ants have elbowed antennae, constricted waists and forewings that are longer than the hind wings.)

While termite workers only measure approximately 1 cm to a few millimeters in length, their feeding habits are capable of causing costly damage to property.

Termites primarily feed on cellulose, a part of wood, but also damage paper, books, insulation, and even swimming pool liners and filtration systems. All termites feed on detritus (dead plants and trees as well as dead parts of living trees, including wood). Unfortunately, all homes, regardless of their construction type, can provide cellulose food for termite infestation. House foundations, furniture, shelves and even books are all possible feeding sites for termites. Termites can harm living trees and shrubs, but are more often are a secondary invader of woody plants already in decline

 

Sub terranean Termites

 

Subterranean termites live in underground colonies or in moist secluded areas aboveground. Their colonies can contain more than a million members. They build characteristic “mud tubes” from mud, saliva and fecal matter. These tubes act as entry points for subterranean termites to gain access to above-ground food sources and to protect themselves from open air. Subterranean termites are most commonly located near the foundation of an infested home.

 

Subterranean termites are the most common type of termites that infest homes. They are found throughout the country, but more typically in warmer climates. These termites need moisture to survive. They are closely associated with the soil, where they typically construct an underground nest or a series of interconnected nests, hence the name “subterranean termites.” Soil serves as a source of moisture that helps protect termites from the drying effects of air.  Subterranean termites excavate narrow tunnels through the soil, creating a network through which they can travel very long distances to reach food. They also transport soil above ground to construct mud tubes and to line their feeding galleries in wood.

Subterranean termites are social insects that live in nests or colonies in the soil. Termite colonies are organized into castes depending on tasks – workers, soldiers, and reproductive (swarmers). The characteristics of a subterranean termite are dependent on the termite’s role in the colony. Cream-colored worker subterranean termites are flattened, relatively small (1/8 to 3/8 inch in length), coal black to pale yellow-brown in color, and have pale or smoke-gray to brown wings. Soldier subterranean termites have cream-colored bodies, brown heads, are of a similar body length, but are distinguished by their powerful jaws. Swarmers have straight, bead-like antennae, a thick waist and a pair of long, equal-length wings that break off easily.

 

Subterranean termite Infestation

Subterranean termite colonies may contain hundreds of thousands of individuals, foraging in many different directions. Due to the fact that subterranean termites need moisture to survive, outside, they are most often found in trees, some plants, firewood, mulch and scrap lumber. In structures, subterranean termites can be found entering structures around plumbing penetrations, cement joints, cracks, and other areas that give them access to the structure. Any wood that is in direct contact with the soil is also a prime target for subterranean termites.

The presence of winged termites or shedded wings inside a home are telltale signs of a termite infestation. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. Subterranean termites usually build large colonies underground that are composed of elaborate tunnels and chambers through which they access above-ground food sources. When subterranean termites eat wood, they fill it with soil to help maintain the humidity. If mud tunnels are visible on the walls or foundation of your home, it is highly likely that you are experiencing a subterranean termite infestation.

 

Dry wood Termite

Drywood termites are commonly found in wood with low moisture content. These termites do not require contact with soil moisture in order to live. They spend almost their entire life cycle inside the sound, dry wood upon which they feed. Since colonies are often small and found deep inside wood, they are difficult to detect. Colonies are also spread over a wide area. They are commonly found in warm climates. Drywood termites are structural pests that exist in warm, dry climates . They inhabit dry wood typically found above the ground’s surface, and they burrow deep into wood.

Drywood termites also enter homes after swarms, usually occurring in the spring. During swarms, an existing termite colony sends out a large number of winged reproductive males and females. These mating swarms may result in several newly fertilized king and queen termites attempting to establish colonies of which many may be within or around a home.

Dry wood  termite infestation

Drywood termites can be more difficult to detect (as compared to subterranean termites) and aren’t typically noticeable until small piles of pellets (their feces) collect. Drywood termites make their nests within the wood they consume and oftentimes infest walls and furniture. They require no soil contact and get their moisture from the wood. They also attack floors, furniture and books. When a colony has matured, winged, swarming termites can be seen around windows and doors. Winged termites are highly attracted to sources of light and are most active in springtime. After mating, these termites locate a new breeding site and create another colony, spreading infestations throughout multiple locations. If a Drywood termite infestation is suspected in your house, a pest control operator should conduct a thorough examination of the entire structure.